Handbag



I Jan. 19, 1937. I c, gw 2,068,058

- HANDBAG Filed De c; 24, 1935 Patented Jan. 19, 1937 PATENT OFFICEHANDBAG Charles M. Lewis, New York, N. Y.

Application December 24, 1935, Serial No. 55,955

8 Claims.

This invention relates to portable receptacles and has particularreference to devices Such as handbags of the knockdown type or employingremovable or reversible covers.

One object of the invention is to provide a handbag including a wallstructure adapted for embodiment in a one piece blank that can be openedup flat for laundering, and partition means so associated in an improvedmanner with the wall structure as to provide, in the assembled relationtherewith, a handbag from which articles however small cannot be lost,by reason of a closure coaction of the partition means with the wallstructure.

Another object of the invention is to provide a handbag having openableend gusset means, and improved closure devices for the latter arrangedto provide closed ended bag compartments and to prevent outward bulgingof the limp gusset means. 7

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved handbag of thenature set forth having a partition or other wall or interconnectionbetween the end gusset means, together with fastener means for closingthe otherwise open gussets and for engaging said interconnection withthe gusset means.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a handbag of thetype mentioned having features of construction having differentadvantages singly and severally, including the following: the fastenermeans are not visible; the fastener means are uniform throughout and areeasily operable; the partition and closure means are wholly concealed inthe bag; the partition means produces a uniform internal appearance ofthe bag; the partition means may serve as the sole reenforcing orstiffening part of the bag, which may otherwise be limp; thepartition'and closure means producing a strain balancing effect in thegussets, permitting full capacity of the bag, supporting the bodythereof with a minimum of bulkines's; the bag walls may be free of anyfastening element for convenient laundering, although the device mayinclude a reversible means for closing the flap of the bag; and thedifferent parts being adapted for a simple inexpensive construction andfor convenient, durable and reliable use; as in a knockdown two part bagstructure.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent asthe specification pro-' objects in View, the inven' rangements of partshereinafter described in their preferred embodiments, pointed out in thesubjoined claims, and illustrated in the annexed drawing, wherein likeparts are designated by the same reference characters throughout the 5several views.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a perspective isometric View of a device with the flap open,and showing an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view thereof taken online 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view on line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4' is an isometric perspective view of the partition and closuremeans in detached condition.

Fig. 5 is a view in end elevation thereof.

Fig. 6 is a plan View in fiat open condition of a blank providing theside wall and gusset structure of the bag.

Fig. 7 is a View of a fastening element in detached position, forholding the flap closed.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of a modification of theinvention.

The advantages of the invention as here outlined are best realized whenall of its features and instrumentalities are combined in one and thesame structure, but, useful devices may be produced embodying less thanthe whole.

It will be obvious to those skilled in theart to which the inventionappertains, that the same may be incorporated in several differentconstructions. The accompanying drawing, therefore, is submitted merelyas showing the preferred exempliflcation of the invention.

Referring in detail to the drawing, l0 denotes a device such as ahandbag embodying the invention. The same may include a blank I I shownin Fig. 6 as consisting preferably of a one piece member of a limpmaterial. For reversibility, the blank may have different appearances orcolors on its opposite faces, and hence may consist of two sheets ofdifferent materials secured together as along the edges thereof. 40

It is noted that the blank is generally rectangular and has an extensionI2 adapted to provide a flap. The blank may be folded along longitudinalparallel lines (3, equally spaced inwardly of the side edges M of theblank. The flap may be foldable along the line l5, and the blank may befolded along one or more lines l6 which define the bottom fold of thebag. If desired, the fold lines I3 may be stiffened or hemmed,especially if the blank I l is not reversibly used, to thus producesharp definition of the bag contour.

Extending along the side edges I 4 are securing means of any suitablenature such as the holes or perforations I! which may have eyelets ifdesired.

It is noted that the sections l8 intermediate of the edges M and thefold lines 13 are relatively narrow to conserve material and are only ofsuch width as may be required for desired expansibility of the assembledgusset structure.

The blank may have a buttonhole IS in the flap l2 thereof, and abuttonhole 20 in the lower part of the blank, the latter adapted forreleasable engagement with a device 2 l, which may comprise a pair ofordinary like buttons 22, directly interconnected as by a thread 23. Onpassing one button through the hole 29, the device 2| is mounted, withthe other outside button available for releasable engagement with theflap 12 at the buttonhole i 9 thereof to thus close the handbag.

In addition to the blank II, the only other essential part of the bagIll is illustrated in principle in Fig. 4. The part 24 referred to maycomprise closure means 25 for the openings in the gussets together withan interconnecting or spacing element 26, which may convenientlyconstitute a wall or central partition and thus secure a strainbalancing effect in the handbag. Since the member 24 is of relativelyrigid character so as to constitute a shaping or body supporting means,by disposing the same centrally of the bag, a uniform gusset oraccordion action is obtained at the sides of the member 2s, and the bagas a whole preserves a certain softness or pliability like that of thestandard envelope bag, assuring the proper feel to the hand, andpermitting a maximum capacity of bag volume in expansion.

Specifically, the member 24 may consist of two sheets of material 21suitably secured together throughout except at their opposite endportions to thus provide wings 28 which are angularly movable apart fromthe apical lines 29. Due to the stiffness of the wings 28, the same tendalways to move toward each other to thus provide the clip-like holdingor closure means.

Mounted on the wings 28 at the opposed faces of each pair thereof is afastening means for a supplemental securement of the gusset means ifdesired. For instance, as shown in Fig. 5, one of the wings may havestuds 39 with suitably elongated shanks thereon, and the companion wingmay have sockets 3| for resilient engagement therewith. The studs arespaced to pass through corresponding holes I! of a pair of gussetsections ill at one end of the device I l, with the edge portions of thegusset sections housed between the wings 28 in a uniform and finishedmanner in the assembled bag. The closure thus afforded may becharacterized as a double lap joint.

If preferred, each sheet 2'! may have its end portions infolded as shownat 32 in Fig. 3, the structure thus obtained having its partsinterconnected as by a line of stitching 33. If the studs and sockets30, 3| have been initially connected to the portions 32, it results thatthe parts 30, 3| are wholly concealed between the wings 28. Further adouble thickness of the wings 28 is thus obtained for increased strengthand stiffness. It is noted that in the drawing, the showing of the foldportions 32 has been omitted in certain figures in order to obtainclarity.

The member 24 may be colored to correspond to the color of one face ofthe blank H to thus obtain added uniformity in the internal. appearanceof the bag. The said member may also have a mirror, pocket or the likeprovided therein or thereon in any well known manner, not shown herein.

To assemble the bag If], the blank I! is first folded along the lines l3and then along the line I5. Thus a bag is provided, with open endgussets, since the sections l8 are free of each other. Now the member 24is inserted with both sections !8 received between a pair of wings 28 ateach end of the bag, the studs being passed through corresponding holesI! and snapped into engagement with the sockets 3!. The bag is now inassembled condition, and the device 2! may be attached, if desired, tocomplete the assembly. The bag thus obtained provides a plurality oflongitudinal expansible pockets, separated by the partition 26 which mayextend into close pro-X- imity to the bottom of the bag. The gussetmeans may be of sufiicient extent lengthwise of the bag to permit ampleexpansion without undue strain on the fastening means 25 to avoidaccidental opening of the latter.

In Fig. 8 is shown a modification of the invention including a limp wallstructure I la. having the edges of its gusset sections [80. providedwith hems or bead portions Ma. The closure and partition means 24a mayinclude a wall 26a having at each end a holding closure means 25a. Thelatter may consist of a single sheet of metal, folded to provide achannel 35 adapted to be clamped on the wall 26a, and the flanges of thechannel having reversely bent spaced walls 36 longitudinally lipped at3'! inwardly toward each other. The channel member 25a may thus besecured with the gusset sections by a movement downward relativethereto, and with the beads Ma slidably removably received between thewings or flanges 36 of the channel section and retained by the lips 31.The device may in other respects be like that shown at I0, andillustrative of a holding and closure means which does not requirefasteners such as 30, 3|, and which operates reliably by a clipping orclamping action, or any seeming means between the walls 36.

It will be appreciated that various changes and modifications may bemade in the device as shown in the drawing, and that the same issubmitted in an illustrative and not in a limiting sense, the scope ofthe invention being defined in the following claims.

I claim:

1. A portable receptacle including a one piece blank adapted to beopened up fiat, said blank being longitudinally folded along linesspaced from the edges thereof, the portions between the fold lines andedges constituting gusset sections, said blank being transversely foldedto provide side walls for the receptacle, a partition between said sidewalls, said partition having means secured thereto at opposite ends ofthe partition, each of said means providing a plurality of wingsextending toward the adjacent gusset sections, the upright edge portionsof the latter being received between said wings, said wings having meansfor releasable securement to said edge portions of the gusset sectionsto thus provide a continuous gusset structure at each end of thereceptacle, said edge portions of the gusset sections being otherwiserelatively free of each other and the said wings at each end of thereceptacle cooperating with each other to constitute a closure thatclosely overlies said edge portions.

2. A handbag including a blank folded along longitudinal and transverselines to provide side walls having upright marginal infolded gussetsections, and a removable separate single means comprising a partitionwall and combined interconnecting and closure means at opposite ends ofthe partition wall and extending along the free upright edge portions ofthe gusset sections, said interconnecting and closure means includingspaced wings for receiving said free edge portions of the gussetstherebetween to provide a lap joint with the gusset sections, theinterconnecting and closure means cooperating with said edge portions ofthe gusset sections to tend to prevent separation of the edge portions.

3. A handbag including a bag having side walls provided with infoldedupright marginal gusset sections, the latter having their upright edgeportions at each end of the bag separable from each other, a partitionmeans between the side walls, said partition means providing spacedcompanion end portions extending along the gusset sections at each endof the bag and receiving said edge portions therebetween, and releasablyfastening means between the companion end portions, including a maleelement on one end portion, a female element therefor on the other endportion, and the gusset sections having holes adapted to receive themale element so that upon interengaging said elements the gussetsections are interconnected to provide closed gussets with the latterinterengaged between the ends of the bag by the partition means, thelatter being otherwise relatively free of the bag, and the bag beingthus free of fastenin means which will prevent reversibility andlaundering thereof upon removal of the partition means.

4. A handbag including a bag consisting of a blank folded longitudinallyand transversely to provide side walls and upright marginal infolded endgusset sections, partition means between the side walls, said partitionmeans comprising interconnected spaced end portions receivingtherebetween the upright free edge portions of the gusset sections,fastening means between the spaced end portions, said fastening meansincluding male elements, and the gusset sections having holes forreleasable reversible engagement with the male elements, and the spacedend portions thus having lapped closure relation with the gussetsections in the assembled condition of the handbag, the said blank, inthe disassembled condition of the handbag, being adapted to be openedflat and being thus free of projecting fastener parts.

5. A handbag including a bag consisting of a blank foldable alonglongitudinal and transverse lines to provide side walls having uprightinfolded marginal gusset sections at each end of the bag, partitionmeans between the side walls, the partition means including a pluralityof relatively stiff sheets of material disposed face to face, the sheetsof material having at their opposite ends infolded upright wing portionssecured together in spaced relation to the fold lines of the wingportions, fastener means between the wing portions, including fastenerelements connected solely to the inner fold sections of the wingportions, the gusset sections having free upright edge portions receivedbetween the wing portions at each end of the bag and being releasablyengaged by the fastener means.

6. A handbag including a bag having side walls, the latter havinginfolded marginal upright gusset sections, a partition between saidwalls, said partition having interconnected upright wing portions ateach end thereof, the gusset sections having free upright edge portionsreceived between said wings, and fastening means located wholly betweenthe wings for releasably interconnecting said free edge portions witheach other and with the wings to thus provide closed gussets.

7. A handbag including a bag having side walls, infolded marginalupright gusset sections therefor, a wall intermediate of the side walls,means connected to the intermediate wall at the ends thereof, said meanseach providing a channel member having marginal inturned lips along theflanges thereof, the gusset sections having free edge portions providedwith upright bead like elements receivable in the channel member andreleasably retained by engagement of said lips with said elements.

8. A handbag including a bag having side walls, the latter havingupright inturned marginal gusset sections at the ends of the bag, saidgusset sections having upright free edge portions in relative proximityto the ends of the bag, means at each end of the bag for releasablyinterconnecting said free edge portions, and means extendinglongitudinally of the bag for interconnecting the first mentioned means,the first and second mentioned means constituting a removable unit.

CHARLES M. LEWIS.

